The Tragedy Of Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark

Hamlet is Shakespeare's most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a "revenge tragedy," in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father's murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties.

Among them: What is the Ghost--Hamlet's father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer, why does he not act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder?

The authoritative edition of Hamlet from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes:

-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play's famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books -An up-to-date annotated guide to further reading

Essay by Michael Neill

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

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SPOILERS INCLUDED:
William Shakespeare's most famous and beloved play (and for good reason), Hamlet is a must read, even if you are made to read it in school. The complex, twisting plot of a young man setting out to avenge his father, the old king of Denmark, and the destruction he leaves in his wake is skillfully and wonderfully outlined by Shakespeare's writing, which proves once again to be phenomenal. Almost all of the characters can lead to detailed analysis and interpretation - did Ophelia kill herself? Is Claudius really a bad man? Does Horatio have feelings for Hamlet? All of these questions and more have to be answered by yourself - Shakespeare is the master of providing many possible outcomes without any definite answers, which makes for thrilling rereads that are as enjoyable as the first time.
- @reallylikesmusicals of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library

This is one of, if not the greatest play ever written. Shakespeare isn’t respected as a master of language and poetry for nothing – this, among some of his other works, is a masterpiece. Hamlet is a fantastical play who’s characters and acts are so three dimensional they will being to appear in your real life months after reading, or seeing the play. If you put aside how it may be frustrating that the protagonist is so very flawed, this masterpiece is breathtaking, and will leave a lasting imprint on you. This is a must read.
- @FalcoLombardi of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library

The Folger Shakespeare Library editions have prefatory information that is very useful, giving hints on the language of Shakespeare, briefly summarizing his life, providing background to the story, and describing theater life in Shakespeare's time.

As for this particular play, I often got bogged down with the frequent soliloquies, most notably those of Hamlet. Shakespeare scholars point to Polonius for his long-winded orations and for his pontificating ways, but Prince Hamlet seemed just as long-winded.

Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's tragedies, but it does read like history at times.

Possibly Shakespeare's most enduring work, and his most interesting hero. In his wonderful creative-writing manual STORY, Robert McKee says (if I recall correctly, and I probably don't) that Hamlet has 32 dimensions in all - each one an axis of internal contradiction, a wavering across spectra of love, lust, hate, determination, insanity, indecisiveness, grief, exultation... Hamlet is a fascinating character.

According to a Shakespeare professor I followed on an internet forum, the reader best approaches HAMLET not by attempting to fix meanings onto symbols, but simply by trying to piece together the events of the narrative. Paying attention to which character thinks what and when reveals all kinds of interesting suggestions - eg. Polonius might have been in on the King's murder, and Hamlet himself might actually have been insane in some scenes. The play is full of rich details like this that exist to be winkled out.

Summary

Hamlet recently lost his Father by his Uncle Claudius killing him by pouring poison in his ear. After that Claudius steals the throne and becomes King. Now, Hamlet's Father is after one thing, revenge and he wants Hamlet to do it. Will Hamlet succeed?